Gudbrandsgard

Phil and Else live on an 80-acre farm in Timberland, a small community located in northwestern Wisconsin’s Burnett county, in the Roosevelt township. Their farm is named Gudbrandsgard.

The farmhouse was remodeled to resemble the architecture of homes in Gudbrandsdalen, the region in Norway where Phil’s ancestors came from. It features rough board and batten siding stained dark with carved and painted elements for added decoration. The cozy home is furnished with richly carved furniture and carved accent pieces throughout.

Phil and Else’s carving studios are both located on the farm site, on the second story of their traditional Wisconsin barn. Else has her carving studio and machine shop set up in the east end of the barn, while Phil’s carving studio is on the west end. In 2015 there were 11 Norwegian Fjord horses living on the farm along with two bird dogs and a small number of barn cats. There is also a small metal shop and carriage shed on the property, along with a hay shed and a large 72’ by 160’ indoor riding and driving arena.

The property has several fields where hay and corn are grown. There is a small wood lot at the far western end and several horse paddocks close to the buildings. Phil maintains both the riding and driving trails on the property.

Gudbrandsgard is located minutes away from several miles of cross-country ski trails and the National Ice Age trail, as well as many local lakes and streams. The farmstead is nicely landscaped with mature shade trees, several flower gardens, and over 20 apple trees.

In order to be creative it is important to make a space where one can be creative. In the same way, if one is to be an artist it is important to be an artist in all aspects of life. So it is at Gudbrandsgard.